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Kiddie Academy® Urges Families to Share the Joy of Reading With Their Children as Dr. Seuss's Birthday Approaches

BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwired - Feb 24, 2014) - Kiddie Academy® says that Dr. Seuss's birthday, March 2, 2014, is a great day for families to think about ways to give their children the gift of a lifelong love of reading.

"While learning to read is a gradual process, involving letter sounds, vocabulary, grammar and comprehension, learning to enjoy reading is something that children do best at home," said Richard Peterson, vice president of education for Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care. "When children read only in school, they may see reading only as school 'work'; but when children see their parents and siblings reading at home for entertainment or sit down with a family member to share a favorite book, they get the message that reading can be something you do for fun. And that's an essential step in raising a lifelong reader."

Each year, on Dr. Seuss's birthday, the National Education Association (NEA) sponsors their "Read Across America Day" in honor of the well-known children's book author. The message of this celebration is clear: encourage children to read -- for enjoyment, for knowledge, for relaxation, for life. Kiddie Academy® shares three tips that families can use to bring the Read Across America celebration into their own homes:

Be a reading role model. Make sure your child sees you reading to gain knowledge and for entertainment. Talk about your favorite childhood books and introduce them to your child.

Make reading together interactive. Don't rush to "finish" the book. Ask your child questions about illustrations and characters; encourage your child to make predictions and observations about the story; invite your child to "retell" the story; and take turns reading out loud.

Have your child read you a book. Even pre-readers will enjoy "reading" to you if you pick a book that they know well. Turn the pages as they tell you the story, prompted by their memory and the book's illustrations.

"The benefits of making reading a part of your child's everyday world go far beyond 'learning to read,'" said Peterson. "Activities like reading together, sharing favorite books, and discovering new interests and ideas together not only help boost your child's literacy skills; they help build treasured family memories."

Kiddie Academy® is a leader in education-based child care, offering full- and part-time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs to families and their children. For more information, visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy®
Since 1981, Kiddie Academy® has been a leader in education-based child care. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials® curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities and techniques help prepare children for life. Kiddie Academy is using the globally recognized AdvancED accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in child care. For more information, visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy® FranchisingKiddie Academy International, Inc. is based in Maryland and has nearly 120 academies located in 23 states, including two company-owned locations. Approximately 70 additional academies are in development, with 15 to 20 new locations slated to open each year. For more information, visit www.kafranchise.com.